Ribbons Cut to Launch New Ferry Service

The new ferry service for the
Auckland suburbs of Beach Haven and Hobsonville Point has
been launched today.

Prime Minister John Key and
Mayor Len Brown have cut the ribbons to open new ferry
terminals in the two suburbs.

The first ferry will
run tomorrow morning from Beach Haven to Downtown via
Hobsonville Point.

The mayor says this is another
great day for public transport. “Aucklanders are looking
for alternatives. This service provides commuters with a
convenient and pleasant alternative to motorway gridlock. We
all know that the number one stumbling block to being the
world’s most liveable city is our transport system. The
opening of this new route and these new terminals is another
example of the steady progress we are
making.”

Auckland Transport’s chairman Lester
Levy says the new service will be useful for work, school
and leisure. “It offers an easy and pleasant journey and
the bonus is a lovely start and end to the day on
Auckland’s beautiful harbour.”

The terminal at
Hobsonville Point is a partnership project between Auckland
Transport and the Hobsonville Land Company.

HLC
chair Adrienne Young-Cooper says today is a major milestone.
“Hobsonville Point will now be served with frequent bus
and commuter ferry services. Establishing public transport
services early in the life of the development is visionary
and establishes sustainable transport patterns
early.”

The $3.2 million Hobsonville Point wharf
has been built by Auckland Transport with a $900,000
contribution from HLC.

The new ferry service
connecting Hobsonville Point, Beach Haven and the Downtown
Ferry Terminal will be operated by 360 Discovery Ltd and the
vessel is Discovery II an 80 seat catamaran.

From
tomorrow there will be two morning and three afternoon
sailings each week day. The service will take 30 minutes
from Hobsonville Point to Downtown and 40 minutes from Beach
Haven.

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